Newman Finally Breaks Drought By Winning In The Dessert
Perhaps it was Logano’s way to retaliate or maybe it was just bad luck but either way, it ended up costing Kyle Busch the win in Sunday’s running of the Phoenix 500. With just 5 laps to go in what appeared to be a Kyle Busch win, Logano blows a tire sending him into the wall and the majority of the drivers to pit road.
The Logano wreck would send drivers to a late race restart with only 5 laps remaining.
In a late race strategy, Ryan Newman’s crew chief, Luke Lambert instructed Newman to stay out deciding to forgo a pit and run the final 2 laps on old tires. This decision put Newman at the front of the pack on the restart. Newman was able to stay ahead of both Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson for the win in overtime. This is Newman’s first win since July 28, 2013, when he won the Brickyard 400
What a gutsy call by Luke. I called for two tires, and he called for none.
“It’s sweet for so many reasons,” Newman said. “This is the longest drought I’ve ever had. A hard-fought battle, a hard-fought race, a hard-fought four years.”
Staying out with Newman and rolling the dice on old tires were Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. But on old tires and a bit of contact between Stenhouse and Larsen on turn 2, it was all Kyle Larsen needed to clinch his 3rd straight 2nd place finish and to the top of the points leaderboard.
Kyle Busch, who lead the majority of the final stage and appeared to be sailing to his first win of the season chimed in on his radio when Logano blew his tire…
Right on time,
and when he was told that it was Logano who had caused the caution due to a blown tire he immediately piped up with…
Trust me-I know.
Even though Logano blew a tire and wrecked late in the race, he still walked away with some points having won the 1st stage, while Chase Elliot in a three car wide pass of Logano opened the door for a stage 2 win. These wins earn both drivers 10 race points and 1 playoff points a piece.
Next week the West Coast swing concludes in Fontana, CA with the Auto Club 400.
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